Although the city has plenty of water the state could soon force Wilson, and other water healthy communities, to cut back on water usage.
WILSON -- State lawmakers are trying to iron out the details of a bill that would allow the state to tell local governments when they have to reduce water consumption, no matter how much water supply the area has available.
But some communities have spent a lot of time and money expanding their water supply, so they wouldn't have to worry about running out.
Around Wilson, you can still see sprinklers watering yards any day of the week, because the city is only under voluntary water restrictions. The city’s water supply, Buckhorn Lake, is currently full. That provides well over a year’s water supply, even if the city doesn’t see another drop of rain.
“Thank God for every drop of water and thank God for Buckhorn Reservoir,” said Wilson resident Don Pridgen.
Back in 1999, the City of Wilson spent $44 million to expand Buckhorn Lake. During the worst of the drought last October, the lake’s water level only dropped 4.1 feet, still leaving more than 300 days of water supply available. The city even had enough water to sell some to its neighboring city, Rocky Mount.
State lawmakers are trying to iron out the details of a bill that would allow the state to tell local governments when they have to reduce water consumption, no matter how much water supply the area has available.
“[Expanding Buckhorn Reservoir] was the best thing we ever did, the absolute best thing that could have happened in Wilson,” proclaimed Pridgen.
Although the city has plenty of water, the state could soon force Wilson, and other water healthy communities, to cut back on water usage. Lawmakers are working on a drought response bill that would regulate water consumption during extreme drought conditions.
Under the proposal, areas declared to be under “extreme” drought conditions would have to cut back water usage 10 percent. Areas under “exceptional” drought would have to cut back 20 percent. Currently, that would affect 40 counties, nearly half of the state.
People living in Wilson say they don't mind conserving. However, they say since the city planned and paid for the reservoir expansion, the state shouldn't be allowed to restrict how and when they use it.
“I think it should be a local decision,” Pridgen said.
State lawmakers are still working with representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the governor's office to work out the details of the drought response bill. The next work group meeting is scheduled for Friday. They hope to come up with a final draft of the bill that members of the state Senate and House of Representatives can agree on, so both sides will approve it this session and make it law.